The Canadian government recently announced a new open work permit for applicants to the recent temporary permanent residence (PR) pathways for essential workers and international graduates. On May 6, 2021, the Canadian government introduced the following new PR pathways:
- Two PR Pathways for Temporary Workers in Healthcare and Essential Non-Healthcare
- Two PR Pathways for Temporary Workers in French-Speaking Healthcare Workers and Essential Non-Healthcare
- Two PR Pathways for French-Speaking and Non-French-Speaking International Graduates
Applicants to the above-mentioned streams will now be eligible for an open work permit available from July 26. This work permit will be valid until December 31, 2021. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) also stated that applicants can include their family members on their work permit application, provided they are already residing in Canada and meet the eligibility criteria.
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for the Work Permit for Family Members of the Principal Applicant?
Family members of the principal applicant to the above-mentioned PR pathways can also apply for the new open work permit if they meet the following requirements:
- Be the spouse or common-law partner or a dependent child of the principal applicant
- Be 18 years or older
- Apply electronically
- Have the principal applicant meet all the requirements for the open work permit
- Be included in the application of the principal applicant for the work permit
- Have the required marriage certificate, birth certificate, or the Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union based on the relationship to the principal applicant